Seat belt spec ?

[ozark]

What are the seat belt specs (laws) saying what year had to have shoulder belt vs. lap belt on our trucks. I've been trying to find a decent set for my 78 but no luck for factory but I have some nice lap belts. Only thing I see if I can use the lap belts I will prob. get pulled over for no seat belt since they can't see the shoulder belt.

[donut]

What did your truck come with? (I don't remember the year for shoulder belts)
My '73 was lap belts only. That's what it came with and there were no problems.

Belt laws can vary by state (I think, that may have changed while I wasn't looking). What I do know is you can't be made to retro-fit something that your truck didn't come with. Otherwise, we'd all be forced into EFI, airbags, and ABS.

[Corts60]

I think shoulder belts started being mandatory in '76, could be wrong though.

[ozark]

Originally Posted by Corts60

I think shoulder belts started being mandatory in '76, could be wrong though.

Thats what I have been trying to find out is what year the shoulder belts became mandatory if any year. thanks

[Ermot]

My 76 only has lap belts. So it would have been after that when they became standard.

[78 Chevyrado]

1977 for sure had the 3 point/shoulder belts.

You are required to have in the vehicle whatever it was originally equipped with. Although like you said, with only lapbelts, while legal and they will likely let you go with no problem, you may get pulled over a lot, depending.

[88Jimmy4x4]

Originally Posted by Ermot

My 76 only has lap belts. So it would have been after that when they became standard.

correct, it was an option in 1976.